Brewing small batches of craft beer in a 650 sqft apartment

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On Sunday, the last of the Fall 2014 German lagers was finished brewing; at present, only fermentation and packaging are left. As seen in the picture, both the 2014 Summer Solstice Helles Bock and Oktoberfest fermentations have visibly slowed, while the Schwarzbier, brewed on Sunday, is at high krausen. To my knowledge, I’ve never seen … Continue reading →

Having washed the yeast from the primary fermentation of the Barrel Project Sour Saison in April, I was keen to make another saison-like beer for the summertime. Along with being on a hop-kick, I was inspired to make a hoppy farmhouse ale of sorts. Anticipating the ultra-high attenuation of Wyeast French Saison, I designed a … Continue reading →

While brewing on the 2014 summer solstice, I cracked open last years big brew, the 2013 summer solstice blonde barleywine. SMaSH-y in recipe, the idea was to design a beer to taste the malt and fermentation characteristics from Maris Otter and Wyeast 1098 British Ale when brewed at a high gravity. The resulting brew was … Continue reading →

This past Saturday marked the 2014 summer solstice. In celebration of the changing seasons and the beginning of summer, I brewed a Helles Bock. As per tradition, during the summer solstices, I like to brew something pale and strong. Since I am currently brewing German lagers, I thought a Helles Bock would be an appropriate … Continue reading →

Last week, I came across a great deal on a sack of malt. Adelbert’s, a local brewery producing a range of traditional and not-so-traditional Belgian ales, recently overstocked on Czech floor-malted pilsner malt, and offered the extra sacks at cost, about 40 bucks, to the homebrewing public. This came as exciting news as I am … Continue reading →

Every September, when Fall seasonal beers start rolling out, I get a mean craving for German lager in all forms. Typically, having not planned accordingly, I start an Oktoberfest too late, and end up buying some commercial brews to satisfy myself while awaiting my homebrew. This year, I am planning ahead, making a long list … Continue reading →

Two years running, I’ve made a point of brewing on the summer and winter solstices. Beginning in 2012, I started this tradition by brewing on the eve of the Mayan Apocalypse, a strong ale/winter warmer of sorts, to ease the coming abyss. Although the apocalypse doesn’t seem to have come, I’ve continued brewing big beers … Continue reading →

In my apartment, I like to maintain a well-stocked brewery, keeping several varieties of base malt, malt extract, and specialty grain on hand. Also, I like to buy malt in bulk to save money when I can. However, storing malt in an apartment can be tricky business as limited space is available. Additionally, when brewing … Continue reading →

After 3 weeks of fermentation and 5 days of dry hopping, the Farmhouse IPA is finished. Inspired by Michael Tonsmeire of the Mad Fermentationist blog, the Hoppy Saison is mostly a traditional saison, but with loads of Saaz, totalling 4 oz in late and dry hop additions. The yeast was saved from the primary fermentation of … Continue reading →

One month since brew day, the Falconer’s Flight APA, an American-style pale ale using Falconer’s Flight hop blend, has finished fermentation, kegged, and is tasting nice. This APA came out great, with the late hopping of the Falconer’s Flight really pronounced. A review and recipe below. Cheers and happy brewing! Review Pouring into a tulip … Continue reading →